U.S. Rep Beto O'Rourke took U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar on a walking tour of the Paso del Norte Bridge on Tuesday so they could see the current wait conditions for motorists.

O'Rourke, D-El Paso, and Cuellar, D-Laredo, want to reduce wait times at international ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, which they say will increase tourism and business.

"Congress has done a good job of adding men and women in green (Border Patrol agents), but we need to focus on the men and women in blue (Customs and Border Patrol officers)," Cuellar said. "They are the ones taking care of the ports of entry."

In March, Cuellar introduced the Cross Border Trade Enhancement Act, which is co-sponsored by O'Rourke.

The bill would give U.S.

REPORTER

Aaron Bracamontes

Customs and Border Protection the ability to enter into public-private partnerships with local government or private businesses to fund additional facilities or services at the ports.

Association President Stephanie Caviness-Tantimonaco. Mayor John Cook also joined the group after the City Council meeting ended.

The group walked over the bridge to Mexico and crossed back over. They observed how long the lines were and briefly visited with Customs and Border Protection officers.

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O'Rourke said it was important for Cuellar to see the bridge first-hand because Cuellar is on the House appropriations committee, which determines how money is spent.

"For him to be able to go back to the committee and say 'I walked the bridge and saw the waits,' it will be very influential to making his case," O'Rourke said.

Only five lanes were open to motorists, but more money for the bridges doesn't necessarily mean more lanes would be open, Cuellar said.
"Not only do we need personnel, but also efficiency," he said.

Cuellar said he hopes that in the future the U.S. can supply Mexico with money to pay for upgrades on the Mexican side of the bridge.

"The faster they can move on the other side, the faster they can get through our side," Cuellar said.

Before the U.S. can help Mexico, the U.S. side would need to be properly staffed in order to keep up with security, Cuellar said.

O'Rourke said he is confident that the Cross Border Trade Enhancement Act will eventually be signed by President Barack Obama because it has bi-partisan support in both the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Texas Senator U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156. Follow him on Twitter @AaronBrac.